Health Canada warns about unregistered insecticides in the marketplace
Summary
Do not purchase, import, sell or use these products.
Affected products
Unregistered insecticides such as “Sniper 1000EC DDVP,” “Lava 100% EC” and “NOPEST”. These contain the insecticide dichlorvos at levels that pose a significant risk to human health.
Issue
Health Canada is warning people that unregistered dichlorvos insecticides such as "Sniper 1000 EC DDVP", "Lava 100% EC" and "NOPEST" are not authorized in Canada. These products contain dichlorvos, also known as DDVP, at levels that pose a significant risk to human health.
Anyone who sees these products advertised on social media should be aware that they are not authorized by Health Canada and should not be purchased or used.
Symptoms of exposure to the chemical in these products may include, but are not limited to: sweating, nausea, dizziness and headache, which may progress to weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and more. Serious symptoms such as convulsions or loss of consciousness are also possible.
It is prohibited under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) to possess, import, sell or use unauthorized insecticides in Canada.
What you should do
- Do not purchase, import, sell or use these products.
- If you are in possession of one of these products, safely dispose of it in accordance with your provincial and/or municipal guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste.
- Only purchase insecticides that have been registered by Health Canada with a PCPA registration number identified on the product label. This code has up to five digits, for example: Registration No. 12345 Pest Control Products Act. To know if a product is registered, visit the Pesticide Product Information Database. Read and follow all directions on the product label.
- You are encouraged to report any non-compliant products, including unregistered dichlorvos insecticides, found in the Canadian marketplace to Health Canada by contacting the Pesticide Compliance Program (pcp-pcp@hc-sc.gc.ca).
- If you're suffering from a side effect or injury which you think may be related to this product, contact your doctor or provincial poison control centre.
Additional information
Background
What is being done
Health Canada is advising people of these unregistered products and reminding them to buy and use registered insecticides only. Health Canada regularly conducts inspections to remove unregistered products from the marketplace and continues to monitor social media and online marketplaces. The Department has a number of enforcement tools it may use to address non-compliant products including: refusing their importation, issuing orders to dispose, seizing or detaining products, and issuing monetary penalties.
Details
Media and public enquiries
Media Enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
Get notified
Receive notifications for new and updated recalls and alerts by category.